Austin
Austin: My Summer Job
I can’t believe the school year has started and is going straight ahead, full-speed. This past summer went way too fast, especially because I didn’t leave campus. I was fortunate enough to be hired as a full time research assistant in the Lab I started working in last January. We call ourselves “Team Fly” because we work with Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies); there were three of us working full time this Summer, as well as our adviser, Dr. Catherine Reinke. I cannot begin to explain how many things I learned this summer; I learned everything from basic lab techniques, to highly innovative, and new techniques, to the basics of working in a research lab, to how to officially compile data, analyze it, and prepare it for publication. I was like a sponge, taking in everything I possibly could and then practicing it. One of the highlights for me was learning how to isolate and sequence a gene; something that I find fascinating. I started on this specific project in late June, and after many trials and errors, between my adviser, my coworkers, and myself, we came up with a new strategy on how to go about sequencing. We finally made the correct concentration, and were able to send it off for sequencing (clear to New Jersey!), and I will never forget the morning I woke up to the results; it was like I was a little kid on Christmas morning. Most of all, I loved actually being a scientist for a few months. All through high school and introductory lab courses seemed to be like a cookbook of experiments, with every approach and detail already written. However, doing research is much different; you have a lot more control and are able to explore and attempt new things you would never think of in a class. I am so grateful for the opportunity to research, and especially appreciate the benefit of getting paid to learn! I am going full-speed in the semester, and can’t wait to see where it takes me.
Until next time,
-Austin
Austin: Research Presentation at the Science and Social Science Symposium
One of the main reasons I selected Linfield was because of Undergraduate Research opportunities. I am fortunate enough to be involved in the Biology department researching microRNA functionality, with Dr. Catherine Reinke, a Genetecist and Molecular Cell Biologist. All semester everyone in the lab has been working with different mutations and lines of Drosophila (fruit flies) and we are about to do our big experiment portion of the project. On Friday, Linfield hosted the 41st Annual Science and Social Science Symposium in the library where most students involved with student-faculty undergraduate collaborative research presented their work through poster presentations. The two other people I have been working most closely with all semester and I, as well as my faculty advisor, worked day and night for the last couple of weeks to create our poster and perfect our presentation. It was a lot of work, but extremely rewarding and exciting. A couple of us in the lab are fortunate enough to have to opportunity to stay over the summer and continue the project as full time research assistants. Because we are a college, and not a university, all of the funding and focus is turned to the undergrads, which is a really cool feeling. Research is fascinating and applies not only in the sciences, but also in other social science departments as well. If you’re interested in doing research (even starting as a freshman), check out Linfield!
Until next time,
-Austin
Austin: Action-Packed Weekend!
I was looking forward to this weekend for a long time, and I can’t believe it’s already done! Friday the entire campus celebrated Wildstock, a Linfield tradition. Every year, near the end of the semester, the school puts on an outdoor concert packed with local food vendors and games. This year, the bands The Ready Set and Outasight performed, and the field was full of free food from Thai Country, Ribslayer, El Primo, and there was inflatable laser tag, as well as an inflatable slide. The concert was great, and it was lots of fun to celebrate the ending of a solid semester with friends.
The next morning came early when two busses of Linfield students traveled to the Coliseum convention center in downtown Portland to hear His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama speak. What an incredible experience it was to be in a theater with 11,000 people gathered around to hear him, as well as three prominent political figures speak at an Environmental Summit. The Dalai Lama is hilarious; he was cracking jokes left and right, and had no problem communicating his ideas and wisdom through his translator. It was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m grateful that Linfield subsidized the tickets so I was able to enjoy the program for only $10! A few of my friends and I hung out at the Portland Saturday Market and enjoyed tasty Thai food (my favorite) and explored the market. After his speech, the Red Hot Chili Peppers put on a great show. Once we returned back to campus, I attended the Theater’s production of Spring Awakening. The musical was absolutely moving, and filled with incredible talent. It was fun to see some of my friends acting and showing their true passion and love for Theater.
Sunday rolled around and was filled with plenty of homework and stress about the upcoming finals week. I have quite a few papers, finals, and presentations this week, but as the semester is drawing to an end, I’m still quick to enjoy the last few days of freshman year with friends. I can’t believe it’s almost over!
Until next time,
-Austin
Austin: Sun!
The last two weeks have been filled with spring-time sun, beautiful flowers, lots of sneezing, and outdoor adventures: with the 81 degree weather, it looks like summer has come early! I’m used to a hot summer, being from Boise, but not until July. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the sun and summer-like weather the last few weeks has brought. Everyone is “doing homework” outside, playing volleyball, soccer, and basking in the sun.
Along with the beautiful weather, come exciting new adventures. My friends and I went to Nesquin beach, (about an hour and 15 mins. away) last weekend and took in the sun. I was able to wear shorts and flip flops! On the Oregon coast, this is a big deal, especially given the time of year. It was absolutely beautiful and a fun Saturday day-trip to get off of campus and explore a new beach.
In Biology lab this past week, we had a bird foraging experiment that we did outside in the woods just off of campus. Within a five minute walk from the lab we were able to be in a thick wooded area and able to observe local birds and their feeding habits: it was awesome! Part of the reason I selected Linfield was because of the location, and I’m happy I’m here!
This last Saturday night was Linfield’s 41st annual Luau put on by the Hawaiian club. We have a large Hawaiian student and faculty population here on campus, and this is their main event of the year. An authentic Hawaiian restaurant catered the event (awesome food) and the main show followed. I was so amazed by the talent of all the students. There were around 10 dances, all with impeccable choreography and authentic music. It was a great experience, and I’m glad I went. It really made me appreciate the rich Hawaiian and Polynesian culture we have right here on campus.
So there ya have it, lots of fun… and lots of work too. Finals are right around the corner and the stress has already set in. The weather is perfect, but also a big temptation to give up on homework. We’re almost there!
Until next time,
-Austin
Austin: It’s all about the FOOD!
It’s true, when you go off to college, your culinary expectations and norms change pretty drastically. There have been many nights of ramen and instant soup, followed by copious amounts of coffee the next morning. However, every once in a while, you decide to splurge and go out to eat with friends. Yes, McMinnville is small, yet there is actually a great selection of restaurants. Third Street is filled with exciting eateries, ranging from Chinese, Italian, American -Brewery, and Thai. There are also great places to eat in Portland, but it’s not imparative to leave MAC.
Thai Country is incredible, and a favorite among Linfield students. The owners are genuine and offer great service and tasty dishes. Most dishes are under $10 too, so that is always a plus!
David’s Chinese is a relatively authentic Cantonese restaurant where the wait staff offers free hot tea and a cup of soup. Free is always a good thing.
Los Molcajetes is an awesome Mexican restaurant with a great atmosphere and friendly staff who bring tons of free chips and salsa… once again, a great thing.
Golden Valley Brewery is a local pub-like American restaurant with excellent French fries and burgers.
Third-Street Pizza Company is a local pizza joint with a theater inside- pretty awesome place.
Wildwood café is packed with Linfield students and community members on the weekends; there is generally a line outside of people waiting to eat. Wildwood toast is their signature dish; thick French toast rolled in an oat-granola mixture and baked to perfection. My mouth is already watering.
Essentially, there are plenty of places to go out and relax with friends, either to celebrate dominating a test, or just to have a good time. Either way, you’ll have lots of new places to try out when you get here!
Until next time,
-Austin